Eagles still ready to run

Broomfield to use stable of backs to replace Geubelle

BROOMFIELD -- The running game has always been Broomfield football's bread and butter. But in 2010 the Eagles took toting the ball to a whole new level.

Dan Geubelle fueled Broomfield's nearly undefeated run to the Class 4A state semifinals with the star running back ducking, dodging and sprinting his way past defenses. His graduation left a sizable hole in the Eagles' roster, but Geubelle's departure hardly means the rushing game has gone flat-footed.

Gary Davies anticipates running the ball by committee, with the coach prognosticating up to five backs getting touches this season. But early on he'll turn to two in particular, with Ryan McCulley and Jose Fraire expected to get the Eagles off on the right foot.

Broomfield High School's running back Ryan McCulley breaks a tackle during practice at the school on Tuesday.
August 23, 2011
staff photo/ David R. Jennings
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David Jennings
)

"They have contrasting styles and bring diverse running ability to the backfield," said Davies, who is five wins away from his 200th victory with Broomfield.

Both backs have demonstrated they have full toolboxes to move the ball down the field. In 2010, McCulley was Guebelle's main backup and Fraire not only carried the ball, but caught passes as a slot receiver. But each is expected to take a more defined role this year.

The lankier McCulley is the shifter and quicker of the two backs, making his living off strong first moves and winning foot races. Fraire, on the other hand, is thicker and more of a contact player, comfortable making his own space on the inside.

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"It's a great combination," McCulley said. "He's a power runner, I'm more of a speed guy. Together, that's going to be hard to stop."

The Eagles have added some wrinkles to their offense, moves that could help build McCulley's and Fraire's confidence.

While the team expects to spread the field with more receivers and utilize more facets of its offense, the biggest changes come in how the team will run its base run offense.

The zone blocking schemes still rule the roost when it comes to running the ball at Broomfield, but it has been tweaked to open lanes to the outside as much as it does to the inside.

The main reason behind the modification is Broomfield's lighter offensive line, but it also opens the run game to each running backs' strength.

"And it's a versatile enough system that our quarterback could have an extensive rushing role, as well," Davies said.

Whoever carries the ball for the Eagles, they have big shoes to fill and little time to figure out how to fill them.

Guebelle set the bar high for the offense, finishing with 1,910 yards and 29 touchdowns. The kinetic back had Broomfield producing from the get-go, a luxury the team might not have this season.

Davies anticipates the Eagles will take some lumps as they find their groove, but with a tough schedule the team cannot wait until the end of the year to put everything together.

Even faced with such challenges, Broomfield's backs are confident in what they bring to the gridiron. And while some in 4A might be willing to overlook the Eagles, given their new personnel -- McCulley and Fraire -- they are doing so at their own peril.

"If there are people who doubt us, we're more than ready to prove them wrong," Fraire said.